S. 3967: Futureproofing Local Operations for Water Systems Act of 2026

The Futureproofing Local Operations for Water Systems Act of 2026, or FLOWS Act, aims to establish a grant program to support the development and enhancement of digital infrastructure for public water systems serving rural areas. The goal is to improve the efficiency and resilience of water services by utilizing modern technology.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of a Grant Program: The Act mandates the creation of a grant program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide financial assistance to eligible public water systems and treatment works serving rural communities.
• Eligible Entities: Eligible entities include:
  • Owners or operators of publicly owned water systems or treatment works in rural areas.
  • State or tribal governments on behalf of such entities.
  • Rural areas themselves.
• Types of Tech Funded: Grants can be used for various forms of digital infrastructure technology which may include:
  • Remote sensing and monitoring technologies to detect water loss and assess infrastructure conditions.
  • Artificial intelligence tools for operational enhancements.
  • Software for hydraulic analysis and digital design.
• Training and Cybersecurity: The program will also support training for personnel managing water systems and provide measures to safeguard digital infrastructure from cyber threats.
• Funding Amount: The Act proposes to authorize $50 million annually for five years (2027-2031) to support the grant program.
• Priority for Small Systems: The EPA is tasked with prioritizing grants for public water systems serving fewer than 3,300 people, particularly those that have community-based management or are significantly underserved.
• Study and Report: A study will be conducted within five years of the Act's passage to assess the impact of the implemented technologies and identify areas requiring improvement, with a report due by the end of 2030 to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

Applicability of Existing Laws

The Act does not waive or limit any existing Federal or State laws that may apply to the projects funded through these grants.

Focus Areas

The Act emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in managing water resources efficiently and sustainably in rural areas, which includes:

• Enhancing water loss detection capabilities
• Improving infrastructure resilience to extreme weather events
• Utilizing technology for sustainable water management practices

Relevant Companies

• IBM - May be involved in providing digital infrastructure technologies and software solutions for water management.
• Alphabet Inc. (Google) - Could be engaged in offering cloud services and analytics tools used to manage water data efficiently.
• Oracle Corporation - Might supply database and analytics technologies for water systems management.